Questions for those who have been there done that!

So, my question is, how far does an extended tummy tuck go? I carried my weight in my front and my hips. I do not have anything on my back above my butt. So, does an extended tummy tuck go all the way around the side to pull them in also?
I was supposed to have my consult last thursday but got sick just before and had to have an appendectomy instead.
Thanks!

The extended TT goes to the side - kinda in a slanted U shape, but it doesn't go in the back.  My surgeon said that I would have some bulges where the incision of an Extended TT ended.  I'm so glad that I went all the way around - and the outer thighs and butt ended up fantastic. 

So glad you are happy with your LBL.. I look forward to having mine done someday.  I haven' t had kids yet and we really wanna adopt, so I think plastics in the near future is something we wanna take seriously.  Just wish adoption wasn't so expensive.  Sometimes I wish I had my kids before my RNY.. oh well can't change that! Thanks for your information!!!! Glad you love your results!

So I went to both of my consults determined to have just a TT.   I carried all of my weight in my torso and never had heavy hips and thighs and with working out they were/are pretty muscular.   I figured I wasn't really a canidate for an LBL to say nothing of the cost difference (which by the way your numbers are pretty much right in line with what mine were).  But both surgeons I saw  said that I wouldn't be happy with just a tt.  Because of how my pannus hung around my hips it would leave things looking funny.  Then they also turned me around and "lifted" the skin of my back right above my butt and I couldn't believe what the difference was.  Seriously I didn't have a saggy butt.  Just a little extra fold right at the bottom that was hardly noticable.  But when they did that and showed me the hip part it convinced me. 

Since I had been so determined to have just  a TT though I went to the second surgeon asking for exactly the same thing just because I was still a little skeptical.  As I said, he told me the exact same thing. 

So what I would say is get at least one more opinion.  Just see if they agree, (don't tell them what the first doc recommended until after they give you their opinion though) and that way you can be comfortable that you're making the best decision.  I ended up using the first surgeon I saw but it made me feel good to know that someone else of VERY high caliber and recommendation (plus I really liked him too) totally agreed with him.  

I have an office job and am taking three weeks out of the office.  I am working from home this week and next and it's been fine.  I will say that if I had to be on my feet all day there is NO way I'd be able to handle that right now, I'd even be hesitant to say I could handle it at the end of the three weeks.  (I had surgery 8/18)  I went to a follow up appointment yesterday and by the time I got home I felt like I'd run a marathon. 

Good luck!
Corinna

I think the LBL is sounding like the best overall option to make sure its a smooth transition all the way around without any "bulging" etc.  I see my PS on the 24th and I will totally trust his judgement.  I will listen to what he says and make the best sound decision.  Thanks.. I really appreciate all the advice.  I think I will need a minimum of 6 weeks off prolli 8-10.  I am on my feet for 13 hours and doing some heavy lifting also.

Hi Melissa!

Glad to hear you are FINALLY going for your plastic consult - you deserve to finish your transformation!!

You are right - Recinos is amazing.  I would trust whatever he says with respect to what surgery will give you the best results.

Work - he will say 3 weeks - no work.

No lifting >10 lbs for 6 weeks.

I am looking forward to be able to go back to our group meeting sometime - I can show off my latest surg results.

Good luck with the consult - looking forward to hear what he says!

Hey Hey Laila!!

I love hearing from you!!!  Gosh knows you are the reason I am wanting to get this going NOW.  You inspire me!!!!

3 weeks sounds like little time to be off considering the demands and hours of my job.. 13 hours and some heavy lifting each night.. hmmm I am thinking 6 weeks for me.  I would think.  I will go nuts tho, I went nuts with my RNY.. I hated being off that long.  BORING.

How long were your drains in again?

I hope I get something covered by insurance but I highly doubt it.  My pannus doesn't hang below my genetalia (ew sounds so gross) and I have had no rashes or anything documented.  So gooood luck to me! Lol..

I can't wait to see your latest results.  Last month was fun, I was the cottage cheese pancake flipping guru and whipped up some amazing coffee based protein drinks (cold and hot). 

I wish the consult was tomorrow!

How much skin did he remove again? Sorry for all the questions :)

Good to hear from you. 

I am going to be seeing u soon also for my teeth, gonna switch once my next cleaning is due (sometime soon).

Thanks for taking care of Aaron.. he needs work!

Hugs,
Melissa

Every BODY is different.  You being a runner have different issues than someone who is not a runner.

You would probably do well with the Abdominoplasty vs the LBL, BUT listen to what your surgeon has to say about the merits for YOU.  Do not be afraid to get a second opinion as well.

Prices are on target.

Trisha

Thanks so much, I will keep that in mind about the second opinion!

I was in a similar conundrum as yourself.  I got some differing opinions from PSs and it came down to me making a decision.  I went with the extended TT and am very happy with my results.  What it boiled down to was the back wasn't that bad and it really didn't bother me (I don't look at it much =D) and it looks good in clothes, so I decided not to bother.  The only thing  I was concerned about was the dog ears, and my PS just created and revised them while I was under, so problem solved.  If I were a millionaire who didn't have to work I might have gone for the LBL, but I've very pleased with my results, and have no regrets.